Dating Apps and the Problem of Ghosting
Nowadays, meeting new people through dating apps has become a common thing. Sometimes conversations go well, meetings happen, and the relationship progresses. But suddenly, without any reason, the other person stops contacting. This behavior is commonly called ghosting. This situation becomes even more complicated when after a few weeks the same person is seen active on social media.
What do Instagram Stories indicate?
Relationship coach Chetna Chakraborty discusses this topic in a video. He gave the example of a woman who met a man on a dating app. There were some meetings between the two, but suddenly the person disappeared. A few weeks later, he started watching the woman's Instagram Stories. This situation was new to the woman, so she asked the coach what it meant.
Does the person want to come back?
According to Chetna, just watching Instagram Stories does not indicate that the person wants to resume the relationship. The reason behind this could be boredom, loneliness or just spending time on social media. He told that many people watch others' stories without any purpose. Therefore, it would not be right to look at someone's online activity and conclude that he or she has realized his or her old mistake.
Be careful of breadcrumbing
Chetna also linked this behavior to breadcrumbing. In this, a person keeps giving small hints without coming back into the relationship, like watching Stories or giving occasional likes. Such signs may create hope, but they are not necessarily aimed at a serious relationship. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to actual behavior before considering any online activity as evidence of the return of the relationship.
Coach's strict advice regarding ghosting
Chetna said that if a person has previously disappeared without informing and is now seen only on social media, then women should avoid getting emotionally reconnected immediately. He advised to keep your boundaries clear and consider blocking such a person. If a man is interested in a serious relationship, he should communicate directly.
Don't judge by Instagram activity alone
However, a person's viewing of a Story alone cannot be considered as definitive proof of his/her intentions. There are several common reasons for someone's activity on social media. Therefore, it is better to give priority to consistent behaviour, conversation, respect and clear intentions of the other person while taking decisions in the relationship. The main message of the coach is that if a person has previously left you without explanation, do not rush to return to the old situation just by reappearing on Instagram.